Space apportioning divider for beds



1951 D. L. WILLIAMS 2,563,570

SPACE APPORTIONING DIVIDER FOR BEDS Fild Feb. 17, 1950 WFHHIE Fig. 4

0a w'd L. Williams INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The presentinvention relates to so-called dividers and partitioning devices for use in association with beds and has particular reference to a more satisfactory and practical way of centrally or otherwise apportioning spaces to the occupants of a double bed whereby the latter, temporarily, becomes a pair of twin beds.

As the introductory portion of the specification makes clear, the art to which the invention relates is made up of many and varied types and forms of longitudinal dividers. Usually, the divider takes the form of a partition with means at opposite ends whereby same may be installed for use on various types of beds. Although dividers which have come to my attention are insertable and removable to facilitate making up the bed in the usual manner, they are usually of rigid one-piece construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a divider which is made up of telescoping sections which may be telescoped into constricted or compact proportions so that the entire divider may be placed underneath the pillows, when not in use, so that it will not be either in the way or obnoxious to a well dressed bed.

In carrying out the principles of the invention the divider, as stated, is constructed of telescopically connected complemental sections which, when extended for use, may be latched against accidental folding or displacement. Opposite end portions of the divider are provided with detachable adapters for anchoring the divider on the different bed constructions.

Another aspect of the invention has to do with the employment and use of a series of standardized interchangeable adapters all for proper use in connection with the divider proper, said adapters making it possible to satisfactorily use the divider on wooden beds, iron or metal beds, beds with perforated fabricated metal grills and even where the bed is provided with so-called low level head and foot boards which terminate on an approximate plane even with the mattress.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a made-up bed with the mattress, frame, slats and other parts omitted for clearness of illustration and showing the improved divider in the manner in which same is used;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in section and elevation of the divider removed from the bed;

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a group view with parts in section and elevation showing a plurality of interchangeable adapters which may be selectively employed for suspending the divider in beds of varying constructions.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals and lead lines, the divider comprises a pair of complemental sections, one of which is denoted as the outer section 6 and the other as the complemental inner section 8. These sections are of suitable materials and construction and telescope into one another in the manner shown. They are of general rectangular form in appearance and construction. The upper edge portion IQ of inner section 8 is provided with a plurality of rack teeth l2 to accommodate a detent M on a latch it, the latch being pivotally mounted on suitable bracket means on section 6 as at It. The latch includes an appropriate handle and a flat tensioning spring 251 which is arranged to keep the detent under pressure and return the detent to locking position when the latch is released.

It will be seen therefore that the principal part of the invention has to do with an extensible and retractable divider or partition of portions suitable to separate the bed into individual sleeping spaces. Since beds vary in constructionit would be necessary to employ different types of adaptors in connection with the divider means. The main adapters are shown in Figures 1 to 3 and are denoted by the numerals 22. Both adapters are the same in construction and a description of one will sufiice for both. To the end, each one is characterized by a suitable mounting and adjusting screw 2d.

The latter screw carries a lock nut 26 on its intermediate portion and as shown in Figure 2 is provided on one end with a rubber suction cup 28. These cups are obviously adapted to bear against the head A and foot B of the bed. By applying one cup and its section 6 and extending the other section B and pressing the cups against the head board and then allowing the latch to swing to locking position, it is obvious that the divider may be put in position and used as shown in Figure 1. Here it has one end extending between the pillows C-C and it is arranged at an elevation to be substantially even with or slightly above the bedclothes D. This allows freedom of movement of the bed clothes in the respective half spaces for the occupants and at the same time accomplishes the desired partitioning result. When the device is not in use it is folded up as shown in Figure 2 and stored underneath the bed or underneath the pillows so that it will be out of the way and will not interfere with the making up of the bed or its appear ance after it is made up.

In Figure 4 I have attempted to show the various kinds of alternative adapters which might have to be employed in connection with the divider. For example the adapter at the top in Figure 4 is denoted by the numeral 30 and comprises a screw 32,lock nut 34 and fork head 36. This type of a head may be used in connection with a metal or so called iron bed wherein vertical rounds are utilized. The adapter at 3B alsocomprises a screw 40, lock nut 42 with prong 44 at one end. This is the type of adapter which could be used, in connection with a bed having an imitation wicker or openwork grille in the construction of the head and foot portions. The other adapter 46 comprises a screw 48, lock nut 50 and T adapter head 52. This is used in beds wherein the uprights or rounds are offset from the center of the head and foot portions. The adapter 54 has a screw 56, lock nut 58 and an 8-shaped head or adapter 60 at one end which has been designed to serve on a bed wherein the head and foot portions are low that is, terminate on an approximate horizontal plane with the mattress of the bed. It is believed that the expression adapters is generic insofar as all of the various types of adapters are concerned.

It is felt that the construction is such that the simple drawings of same herein provided will aptly acquaint the reader with all necessary information.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more length description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A divider for beds comprising an extensible and retractable partitioning device, latch means for adjusting and retaining the components of the device in predetermined and regulated positions, andadapters adjustably mounted on the end portions of said device.

2. A divider for beds comprising an extensible and retractable partitioning device, latch means for adjusting and retaining the components of the device in predetermined and regulated positions, and adapters adjustably mounted on the end portions of said device, each adapter including a screw having a lock nut and, in addition, having means at its outer ends to contact the part of the bed with which it is adapted to eoact.

3. A space apportioning divider for beds com-' prising a partitioning device embodying telescopically connected sections, one section being pro vided with retaining teeth, and a pivoted springreturned and retained latch on the other section engageable with said teeth.

4. A space apportioning divider for'bedscom- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 883,884 Hopkins Apr. '7, 1908 

